Vegetarian Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

With our crazy busy lives, finding ways to take care of our selves can sometimes be challenging. Over the last couple of years, there has been much talk about the benefits of juicing fruits and vegetables to add to or balance out our diets. Understanding which ingredients to use in the recipe for taste as well as to offer the health rewards we are seeking can be trial and error. Or, you can trust the experts. Since this is my first real foray into the juicing world, I decided to try a brand called Krisp, out of Newport Beach, California.… Read more

Aren’t we always trying to find a way to get more vegetables in our diets? Or maybe I should say, aren’t we always told we should do this?! But just how do we do this so that the dish looks as appetizing as it tastes? I have a solution for you in the form of a kitchen tool called a Spiralizer. (Paderno World Cuisine Spiralizer Pro, 4-Blade)

There are a few brands that offer a piece of equipment that does something like the Paderno Spiralizer but this is the one I like the best and recommend. The Spiralizer is a fantastic way to creatively make dishes that contain vegetables, fruits, onions and potatoes that resemble noodles.… Read more

Isn’t there always that moment in the day when you just must have a sweet snack? A little treat that isn’t loaded with calories, ingredients you can’t pronounce and yet still fulfills that need for something sweet. Personally, I love chewy candies. My challenge though is that I don’t want to eat anything made with traditional gelatin as it is made with animal products.

So, when I learned about Goody Good Stuff all natural gummy candy, (http://goodygoodstuff.com/en/), I was excited to try them (especially since that sweet tooth just doesn’t go away!). What I like about this candy is that not only did they remove the gelatin issue for me, but they also created candy with only natural fruit and vegetable extracts, nothing artificial.… Read more

Ordering a veggie burger at a restaurant is always a bit of a risk. You are never quite sure what you are going to get in the end. Will it be more beans than vegetables? Bland tasting? Unappetizing in appearance? Have you ever seen an appetizing looking black bean burger???? Or what about buying them at your local grocery store? Do they really look like the picture on the box? Well, I have just tried a new brand, Veggie Patch, and their Mediterranean Patties. And all I can say is, Yum! They are made up of Mediterranean spices, spinach and chickpeas.… Read more

Hummus. That creamy, slightly tangy dip made with garbanzo beans (aka chick peas) that go great with pita chips. So delicious and filled with protein and other healthy ingredients. I had the very good fortune to work with the Sabra Hummus people recently who offered me the opportunity to learn more about their products. This was definitely a fun experience using all my creative cooking skills as I am all about coming up with innovative ways to use products.

Here’s a bit about the Sabra brand as I was surprised at the vast assortment of products that they offer. We know they have hummus but did you know they offer 12 different kinds!… Read more

On really busy days, I love to make a quick, healthy salad for lunch that is filled with flavor and textures. I am also someone who creates meals based on what I find in my refrigerator and cabinets. A little crunch (nuts, veggies), fruity sweetness (apples, grapes, berries), savory onion (shallot, red, Vidalia) and salty Parmesan cheese satisfies my taste buds. The final touch to that salad is always the dressing. But, finding one that is low in fat, healthy, natural and full of flavor is hard to come by. Lately though, I have been experimenting with balsamic vinegars. So, when Mange Fresh Fruit Vinegars offered to send me a sample of their fruit vinegars, I was intrigued.

What arrived was an elegant bottle of Raspberry Fruit Vinegar.… Read more

I love to grill. Vegetables. Yes, there it is. Not gourmet but so delicious! One of my favorite sandwiches is super easy and very customizable as you can see from comments on Inspiring Kitchen’s Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/inspiringkitchen). What works so well with this dish is being able to have friends over and everyone gets to make their own personalized sandwich varying with the choice of filling. What I will typically do is have a platter of all different kinds of vegetables (colored peppers, onions, zucchini, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, fennel, etc), sauces, spreads (salsa, pesto, sun dried garlic paste – yum!), cheeses and even meat for those who want it.… Read more

Aren’t we all trying to find ways to eat healthier these days? Adjusting our meals to increase the “good-for-you” ingredients while subtracting those that are high in saturated fat and calories. As someone who enjoys vegetarian options, I am always on the look-out for new products that will be protein focused. Most of what I have seen in the grocery store aisles is soy based meat alternatives. Well, I am happy to share that I have recently had the opportunity to learn about a UK company called Quorn, that gives meat free options a whole new category.

I am fortunate to be a part of a tight group of Chicago based bloggers called the Chicago Blogger Network who invited me to this special event.… Read more

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Looking for a healthy snack? Have you ever tried puffed millet? I just discovered these delicious and good for you treats made from a just launched brand called Tea Squares. They come in three flavors: Acai Blueberry Tea, Citrus Green Tea Matcha and Madagascar Vanilla. They are made with almonds, pepitas, fruits and other ingredients along with the tea. So good. They are in Whole Foods already or check their website. #teasquares #tea #snacks #healthysnacks #vegetarian #inspiringkitchen @ Chicago, Illinois

You can not tell from this picture how many delicious ingredients are in this salad from Pizzeria Bebu but it was so good. This Little Gem salad is made with fava beans, English peas, pecorino, pistachios, and topped with a Meyer lemon vinaigrette. Loved it. Light and flavorful. Perfect spring or summer salad as a meal or as a side with pizza. This new restaurant is doing very creative things. Go check them out. Good wine list too. #pizzeriabebu #salad #littlegem #favabeans #englishpeas #pistachio #inspiringkitchen

Maggiano's is now serving brunch! Like these lemony ricotta pancakes with blueberries that are light and flavorful. Grab your friends, order some coffee (or Italian Bloody Mary's) and some of the wonderful brunch dishes and start your day off right! #Maggbrunch #Pancakes #brunch #maggianos #inspiringkitchen @ Maggiano's Little Italy Clark & Grand

If you are a homemade caramel lover, try Becky's Blissful Bakery caramels. She offers Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Beer and Pretzel, Salted Whiskey Caramels and Cold Brew Caramels. Just the right amount of sweetness and chewiness in each bite. Check them out on beckysblissfulbakery.com. #caramels #homemadecandy #candy #inspiringkitchen

If you have ever had a dish that literally makes you stop talking and just savor the bite then you will understand why I loved this pizza. Newly opened Pizzeria Bebu with their gas heated brick ovens created this masterpiece of a pizza. Called the Ode to Rubirosa and made with vodka sauce, nutless pesto, and fresh mozzarella, you too will be speechless on your first bite. The just chewy and crispy crust balances out the sauce, cheese and pesto perfectly. This is no ordinary pizza joint. Their wine pairings are spot on. Like the Bernard Moreau Passetoutgrains. Check out my insta stories for more of the types of pizza they offer. We had 6 different kinds! Some meat and some vegetarian. A perfect place to hang out with friends or carry out if more convenient. But a must visit! #pizzeriabebu #feedmepizza #inspiringkitchen

How yummy do these colorful cupcakes look? Spring colors for our table. I'm partial to that purple one in the corner. Thanks, Sweet Mandy B, for the treats. If you are looking for beautiful cakes and cookies, check them out. Your family and guests will thank you! #cupcakes #sweetmandybs #inspiringkitchen